Pianist David Troy Francis, a Memphis native, invites everyone to tune into a live concert entitled Mountain Hymns—Songs of Grace and Mercy, on Sunday, Oct. 18, at 3 p.m.

“The event is designed to present a respite of peace, joy and inspiration,” Francis said.

Soprano Simone Vigilante and cellist Franklin Keel will join Francis for the program, from the White Horse venue in the mountains of western North Carolina, which will include a piece entitled “Mercy” by the British composer Max Richter, Arvo Part’s work “Fur Alina” from “Spiegel im Spiegel” and hymn arrangements from the performers.

Francis posted a preview video of his interpretation of “What A Friend We Have In Jesus,” a polyrhythmic arrangement featuring a left-hand motif of five notes equivalent to each half note.

“While all the pieces are not sacred, per se, they are reflective of music that offers the listener an opportunity to reflect on our lives and how fortunate most of us are, despite the troubles that saturate our existence,” Francis said.

The pianist spent the first 28 years of his life in Tennessee, graduating from Rhodes College in Memphis, has preformed hundreds of recitals in churches and venues in throughout the state and has been involved in the Miss Tennessee and local pageants, the Mid South Fair, Libertyland, the Overton Park Shell and other regional artistic endeavors.

Francis is the producer, composer and musical director of the musical Bark! and served as the recording pianist for films including Pursuit of Happyness, Fame and Elegy.

The Oct. 18 concert is a free event but donations are gratefully accepted.

To view and listen to Mountain Hymns—Songs of Grace and Mercy, visit whitehorseblackmountain.com.